MORE than £4 million is being spent on repairing sinking houses on a city estate.

The 22 homes in Roman Pavement, off Monks Road, will all undergo underpinning work to stop them suffering further damage from ground movement and subsidence.

And 57 other council-owned properties in the area will have work – including new kitchens, rewiring and bathroom improvements – to bring them up to the Government's Decent Homes standard.

Project officer Maria Clayton is in charge of the work.

"A few homes have stood empty for a while so we are tackling them first so they can be used to temporarily accommodate families whose own homes are being worked on," she said.

"It is a huge project but the end result will be a great benefit to the area and its residents."

While the major underpinning work is being completed tenants will be relocated to renovated homes.

The first of these refurbished homes – 66 Roman Pavement – was unveiled yesterday at a celebration for residents and council contractors, Kier and Aaron Services Ltd.

Councillor John Metcalfe, portfolio holder for housing, received the keys for the home from contractors at the event.

He said: "This really is a milestone event and a celebration for both the council and residents of Roman Pavement.

"The council's substantial investment in this estate will not only improve the appearance of the area but ultimately give residents more pride in their homes," he added.

The work at the estate began in summer and will take around two years to complete.

The 120 homes on the estate are built on a former ironstone pit and quarry which causes ground movement and significant problems for structural stability of homes.

And drainage issues in the area would continue to threaten homes if the work was not completed.

Council tenants, Norman and Amanda Grant, will move into number 66 next week and will be unable to return to their property for around six months.

Despite the upheaval Mrs Grant thinks the move will be worthwhile for the end result.

"I think the work is much needed and it is very much appreciated.

"We have known about the subsidence issues for a long time, so now that work is being done it is fantastic."

Council contractors will return later in the year to complete a major drainage project around the houses to prevent a recurrence of the problems.